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Sabbath

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INTERNATIONAL

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FOR

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INTRODUCTORY NOTE-

THERE is no more important question ,Agitating the

world to-day than the question of the Sabbath. It is not

a mere question of a certain twenty-four hours of the week,

but in the question of the Sabbath is involved the worship

of the one true God, the power and authority of Christ

Jesus our Lord, and our own salvation. The subject can-

not. be too thoroughly studied nor too well understood.

Other styles of presenting the lesson have suggested them-

selves, but it is thought best to follow largely the familiar

topical lesson of the past. The student cannot be too ear-

nestly urged to do faithful work. in the study of the lessons.

It matters not though he may be in a general way familiar

with the subject of the Sabbath; he needs to be more than

that. He needs to know it in all its various phases, that he

may meet the assaults of error. He needs to know Him

who is Lord of the Sabbath, and whose power to regenerate

and save, the Sabbath commemorates. He needs to know

the blessing pronounced upon those, whoever they may be

(for God is no respecter of persons), who take hold of God's

covenant and keep the Sabbath from polluting it. There-

fore, become familiar with all the lesson texts as early in

the week as possible. Talk them over with others, pray

over them, meditate upon them, consider what the Lord

says, and "the Lord give thee understanding in all things."

INTERNATIONAL,

SABBATH SCHOOL QUARTERLY.

Lessons for Senior Classes, 3d Quarter, 1895.

LESSON 1.-July 6, 1895.

THE SABBATH—ITS INSTITUTION.

SCRIPTURE READING.—Gen. 1:27; 2:1-3; Ps. 115 :16; Mark 2 :27, 28; Gen.

1:1; John 1 :1-3; Col. 1:16.

ANALYSIS.—The

Sabbath: When made, how made, for whom

made, by whom made.

When was the Sabbath made? Gen. 2: 1-3. (See note 1.)

By how many distinct acts or steps on the part of the Creator

was the Sabbath instituted?, Same verses. (See note 2.)

What was the first step?

By this step alone what did the seventh day become?

Of what was this rest day the seventh day? (See note 3.)

What was the second step in the institution of the Sabbath?

What did these two acts make the seventh day?

What is the effect of God's blessing? (See note 4.)

What, then, would be the effect of God's blessing on the

Sabbath?

10.

Can man reverse God's blessing? Num. 23 : 20.

11.

What was the third step in the institution of the Sabbath?

12.

What is the meaning of the word "sanctify"? (See note 5.)

13.

How does God sanctify? (See note 6.)

(3)



TH E SA !MATH.

14. Did He bless and sanctify the particular day on which Ile

rested? (See note 7.)

15: Why did He bless and sanctify the seventh day? Gen.

2 2-3.

16.

For whom was the earth created? Ps. 115 : 16; Gen.

1 : 27,28.

17.

For whom, then, was the Sabbath made? Mark : 27.

(See note 8.)

18.

By whom was the earth created? Gen. 1 : 1.

19.

Who was the active agent or person in this creation? 1

Cor. 8: 6; John 1 : 1-3; Cal. 1 : 16.

20.

Who, then, rested on the seventh day?

21.

What day, therefore. must be the Lord's day? Mark 2 : 28;

Rev. 1:10. '

NOTES.

On the Seventh Day God Ended His Work.—The

Septuagint,

Syriac, and the Samaritan versions read, " On the sixth day God

ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the sev-

enth day," "and this," says Adam Clarke, " should be considered

the genuine reading." God's work of creation was complete at

the close of the sixth day, when He pronounced it " very good.''

See Ex. 20:11.

MARK the three distinct acts or steps by which the Creator

founded the Sabbath,—His rest, blessing, and sanctification. God

does not do unnecessary things. His power is manifest toward us

" in all wisdom and prudence " (Eph. 1 : 8), and, therefore, all

these three things were necessary in instituting the Sabbath. In

every step is a lesson and blessing for man.

THE day on which God rested is the seventh day of the cycle

of seven days, or of the week. See Matt. 28: 1. It is solely

through the appointment of the Sabbath that the week has come

down to us. The

year

is marked by the apparent revolution of

the heavenly bodies. The

month

is marked by the revolution of

the moon. The

day

is marked by the apparent revolution of the

sun around the earth, but the

week

rests wholly on what seems to

man's unaided understanding to be God's arbitrary appointment

THE SABBATH.



the Sabbath. It therefore demands faith on the part of man

to accept it, while absolute want of faith, as did infidel France,

rejects it.

GOD'S blessing means something. He told Abraham, " I

will bless thee,



. . and thou shalt be a blessing ;" and this

blessing extended to all the families of the earth. Gen. 12: 2, 3.

So God through Isaac blessed Jacob. and even though Isaac would

order otherwise, His testimony concerning that blessing was, " Yea,

and he shall be blessed." God's blessing always lifts the elan who

is blessed above all other men of the same class. It is just so as

regards days. The seventh day was exalted above the other days

of the week. It was blessed that it might be a blessing.

" SANCTIFY

comes from the Hebrew word

qadesk,

pro-

nounced kawdash. It means to " separate," " set apart," or

" appoint." Thus we read in Joshua 20 : 7 that there was " ap-

pointed (margin, " sanctified ") certain cities for cities of refuge.

That is, these cities were separated from the other cities of Israel,

and "appointed," or " set apart," to a certain use. In 2 Kings

10 : 20 we read, " Jelin said,

Proclaim

[literally, "sanctify,"

margin] a solemn assembly for Baal." Joel 1 : 14 reads, " Sanc-

tify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly," etc. . That is, "appoint,"

or " set apart," a fast. See also Ex. 19 : 12, 23. The sanctifi-

cation of the seventh day; therefore; necessarily involved the sep-

arating of that day from others, the setting of it apart for a special

use, and proclaiming that it should be so observed.

GOD sanctifies, or separates, a place or thing in the fullest sense

when He puts within it, His own presence or Spirit.. He makes

men holy by His indwelling presence. 1 Cor. 0 : 11, 19. He

made Mount Sinai holy by coming clown upon it. Ex. 19 : 10-12.

See also Josh. 5: 15; Ex. 3: 5, 6. So God blessed the seventh

clay by placing within it, in a special sense above other days, His

own presence. He who has Christ within, and understands His

rill

;

n i11 recognize Christ's presence in the Sabbath.

GOD did not bless and sanctify the particular day on which

He rested. It is not the dead past which is sacred to God. It

was after the Creator had rested that He placed ills blessing and

sanctification upon the day, He therefore blessed and sanctified



T II E SABBATII

the seventh day of the weekly cycle for all time to conic," because

that in it He

had rested."

8. GOD created the earth for man. He set apart the seventh

day as a memorial of that work, and, as creation pertained to the

earth, and the earth was created for the entire race, so the Sabbath

must have been made for the entire race. It would be incon-

gruous and illogical to consider it otherwise.

LESSON 11.--July 13, 1895.

THE DESIGN AND DAY OF THE SABBATH.

SCRIPTURE READING . —Jer. 10:10-12; Ps. 33 : 0; Ex. 20 ; 11; Isa. 40 : 28; Ex.

31 :17; Ps. 111 ; 2-4; 135 :13; Eze. 20 :12, 20; 1 John 3 :7; 2 :29; Isa. 54 : 17.

REviEw QUESTIONS.

—(a) When was the Sabbath made?

(b)

what three steps was it instituted?

(c)

By whom was the Sabbath

made?

(d)

For whom was the Sabbath made?

(e)

What is the

meaning of the word " sanctify "?

By what characteristic is the true God distinguished? Jer.

10 : 10-12. (See note 1.)

How was God's power-manifested in. the creation of the

earth? Ps. 33: 6, 9.

How long was the Lord in making the heavens and the

earth? Gen. 1; Ex. 20 : 11, first part.

What did He then do? Gen, 2 : 2; Ex. 20: 11.

Did the Lord need to rest? Isa. 4.0: 28.

How did He regard His works? Ex. 31 : 17. (See note 2.)

What is said of the works of God? Ps. 111 : 2.

What is thcir character? Verse 3.

What has God done for man's benefit? Verse 4.P

10.

For how long does this memorial exist? Ps. 135: 13.

11..By what institution is God's work called to remembrance'?

Ex. 20 : 8, 11. (See note

37)

12.

Of whom and what, then, is the Sabbath a memorial?

13.

To whom is it given for a memorial? Mark 2 : 27.

T SABBATH.



14.

Of what does the Sabbath become a sign? Ex. 31 : 17; Eze.

20 : 12.

15.

How should man regard it? Ex. 20 : 8.

16.

Who alone can do holy or righteous works? 1 John 3 : 7.

17.

How alone can we become righteous? 1 John 2 : 29; La.

: 17, last part; 45: 24, 25.

18.

By what means does God make us holy? John 15: 3; 1

Peter 1 : 22.

19.

What does this word do for those who believe? Eph. 2 : 10;

4 : 24.

20.

How does Jesus express the same truth in His prayer? John

17 : 17.

21.

Who alone, then, can keep the Sabbath holy?

22.

Whose life is thus manifest? Gal. 2: 20.

23.

Of what, then, does the Sabbath become a sign to the

believer? Eze. 20 : 12.

24.

Of what two great works, therefore, in God's plan is the

Sabbath a memorial and sign? Ans.—Creation and redemption,

which is a re-creation.

NOTES.

Cif:olive Power.—Jellovah

is the true God, therefore He is

the only God. He is the living God, therefore will always exist.

In the very nature of things He therefore becomes an "everlasting

King." Creative power is the great distinguishing characteristic

of the true God. All things exist in Him; hence, when He speaks,

things are. He takes the things that are not to bring to nothing

things that are. He therefore can never be defeated, because He

has in this all-creative power that which will overcome all opp

sition. Hence, whenever this Godhead is pointed out, or is con-

trasted with false gods, His creative power is the distinguishing

characteristic. See Ps. 96 : 5; 115: 1-15. See also Paul's preach-

ing before the heathen. Acts 14 15; 17 22-25.

God's Delight.—The

Scripture tells us that God rested and

was refreshed. The root word means to take a long breath. That

is, when the six days' work was done, God looked it all over and



THE SABBATH:

was satisfied, delighted for the sake of man, even as the wise and

loving parent is satisfied at the provision he makes for his children.

God's Works.—The

works of the Lord are great, and all who

take pleasure therein appreciate their greatness. His works are

also honorable and glorious. Certainly they should be remem-

bered. To remember that which is great, honorable, and glorious,

ought to be man's greatest pleasure, as it is for his highest good.

God has therefore made His wonderful works to be remembered.

What is a more fitting memorial than that day on which the Crea-

tor ceased His labors and contemplated His work with delight, the

day around which clustered the great facts of a completed creation.

LESSON III.-July 20, 1895.

THE SABBATH AND THE LAW.

SCRIPTURE HEADING.--Ex. 20:1-17; 24:12; Deut. 4: 12,13; Ex, 32: 15, IC; Debut.

5: 22; 1 John 3:4; Ps. 119:172; Matt. 22: 37-40; Ps. 19: 7-11; Rem. 7: 12,14; Matt.

5:17-19.

REVIEW Q EsT

Ns.—(t)

What is the g,

ruitt distinguishing

characteristic of the true God ?

(b)

What is said of God's works ?

(.1)

What memo-

rial has He given ?

(s)

Of what is the Sabbath a twofold sign?

What is the condition of all men ? Rom. 3 : 28.

What is sin? 1 John 8: 4.

How much does sin cover? 1 John : 17, first part.

. 1. How alone may we truly know sin ? Rom. 3 : 20.

.1. What law is this that reveals sin ? Rom. 7 : 7.

What law is it that declares, " Thou shalt not covet "

What must he the character of that law which condemns all

unrighteousness? Ps. 119 : 172; Isa. Si : 7.

What law is this then which is righteous?

In what is summed up the whole duty of man? Bea 12 :

10.

In view of what is man urged to keep God's command-

ments? Verse 14. -

'I'll



111;.1.1'11.



11.

What does James call this law by which we are

to 1.11

judged'? Jaates 2 :8, 12.

12.

What are two of its commandments? Verses 10, 11

;

mar-

gin.

18. To what law do these command) vents belong ? Ex. 20 : 1-17.

14.

What are these commandments expressly called? :Ex.

24: 12.

15.

Row inuch does this law demand of us? IN[att. 22 : 37-40.

16.

What must we then conclude concerning the Decalogue I

(See cote 1.)

17.

How was the Decalogue given ? Ex

. 20: 1; Dent. 4: 12, 13;

Ex. 32 : 16.

18.

How is its completeness shown? Dent. 5 r22,

19.

What testimony sloes inspiration bear to the character of the

law'? Ps. 19: 7; Rom. 7 : 12, 14.

20.

*What testimony is borne to tale permanency of this law?

isa.



: 6; Ps. 111: 7, 8, margin; 119: 152.



(See note 8.)

21.

What does our Saviour say of its integrity and perpetuity ?

Matt, 5 : 17-19; Luke 16 : 17. (See note 4.)

22.

What is the fourth commandment of the .Decalogue ? Ex.

. 20: 8-11. (See note 5.)

23.

If all

this is true of the law, what may we conclude concern-

ing the Sabbath? (See note 6.)

24.

Of what is he guilty who transgresses one command ? Jaines

2 : 10, 11.



•

NOTES.

1. IT may not seem essential to the student to place real study

on these familiar texts, but it is most important that he should.

There are two points established by the first division of the lesson,

which are, by the enemies of God's law, so often disputed. The

first is that the law which condemns sin and all unrighteousness,

which is itself perfect righteousness, even God's righteousness, as

it is God's law, is the law of ten commandments, or the Decalogue.

These texts clearly prove this. Let the student study the Scrip-

ture till he knows this truth and can tell it to others. The second

point is that this law, which is the rule of the judgment, which is



'111E SA13.13A.TH.

the royal law, or law of the great King, is complete in itself,

embraces ourwhole duty, and demands that we love God supremely,

and our neighbor as ourselves.

WE have no account of any other document that God ever

wrote. Moses wrote laws of various kinds in a book. When

Christ was upon earth He wrote men's sins upon the sand. But

the writing of that document which embodied the eternal right-

eousness of God, which embraced in itself all duty, God left not to

man. He engraved it by His own finger on the tables of enduring

rock, showing the permanency of its character.

NOTE, the testimony of the prophet. The people who know

righteousness are the people in whose heart is God's law. His law

is therefore the expression of His righteousness, and this He declares

shall not he abolished. Men may die and earth may perish, but

God's salvation and righteousness are eternal. This scripture

ought to be a comfort to those who love God's law.

Till All Be Fulfilled."

—This certainly included the "proph-

ets." But the prophets predicted things to come which are eter-

nal, as, for instance, the everlasting kingdom of Christ. Dan.

7 : 27. Our Lord therefore would teach us that till eternity would

pass "one jot

[yod,

the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet]

or one tittle [the little points which distinguish between letters

and so change the sense] shall in nowise pass from the law," till

eternity shall end. The law is as eternal as its Author.

THE position of the fourth commandment in the Decalogue is

worthy of note. If it were placed itt the beginning or end, it

might have been said that it did not belong to the law; but God

pli!ced it in the very center, buttressed behind and before by the

precepts over which man has no question. Thus God made known

that the Sabbath law was of the same eternal nature as all the

other laws with which it is connected.

WHAT is said of the whole law is true of its every part. A

morally

perfect law could not be

morally

imperfect in its parts, for

two or more wrongs can never make a right. When, therefore, it

is said that the law is perfect, good

;

holy, just, righteous, spiritual,

it declares that every command of that perfect law is of the seine,

character. This, therefore, is true of the Sabbath.'

THE SA sHATIL.



SUGGESTIVE

QUEST IONS.

—In what receptacle were the tables of

the law placed? What was- this ark called, and why? Why is

the law called testimony, and the commandments testimonies?

Why is the law called the fear of the L•wd '? What has reverence

or fear to do with the observance of the law? To what does the

Sabbath commandment bear witness, or testify ? What is said

about rewards for kedping the law? How alone can we keep it?

•

LESSON IV.-July 27, 1895.

THE SABBATH FROM MOSES TO CHRIST.

SCRIPTURE READINGS.-Ex. 20:S-11; Isa. 45: 18; Dent. 4:32-35; Isa. 03:7-14;

Ps. 77:13-20; Dent. 3:15; X1:19; 17:3; Eze. 8:15, 16; Lev. 19:26; Ex. 32:1-6; 1

Kings 16:30, 31; 2 Kings 21:1-6; Jer. 17:21-27; Isa. 56:1-7; Neh. 13:16-23.

REVIEW Q U EST IONS.

—(a) What is the law of God?

(b)

How

can this be proved ?

(e)

How did God give it to men ? (d) 'What

difference was manifest in the giving of the Decalogne and the

giving of other laws ?

(e) Whiit

is the character of this law, and

how long will it continue? (1) What is the character of the

Sabbath, and how long will it continue ?



Of what is the Sabbath a memorial ? Ex. 20 : 8-11. Isa.

45 : 18. (See note 1. )

To how many of mankind does creation and its memorial

pertain? Mark 2 : 27.

What great work did God especially do for Israel ? Dent.

4 :38, 34.

How did this manifestation of God's power for Israel com-

pare with other works since the creation ? Dent. 4 32.

What is this work called in which God thus revealed His

power? Dent. 7: 8; 9:26; see also 1 Citron. 17 : 20, 21; Neh.

1 :10; Ps. 77 : 13-20; Isa. 63 : 7-14. (See note 2.)

For what purpose did God thus manifest His mighty power?

Dent. 4 : 35; P.a. 63 : 12.

Of what is the Sabbath a sign? Eze. 20 : 20.



THE SAREATH.

Of what did it in a special sense become a sign to Israel ?

Deut. 5: 15; Eze. 20 : 12.

What special idolatry did the Lord condemn above all oth-

ers, and why ? Deut. 4: 19; 17: 3; Eze. 8 : 15, 16. (See note 3.)

10.

What day was dedicated to the worship of the sun ?

11.

What prohibition did the Lord make concerning these

heathen days? Lev, 19 : 26.

12.

Mention Some of the most noted instances of this idolatry on

the part of Israel. See Ex. 32 : 1-6; Num. 25: 1-6; 1 Kings

1.6 :30, 31; 18 : 22 ; 2 Kings 21 :1-6.

13.

What was always associated with Baal worship ? Ans.--

Sabbath breaking. See Jer. 17: 21-23; Eze. 20: 16.

14.

What reform did a return from idolatry always demand ?

Eze. 20 : 18-20; Jer. 17 : 24-27.

15.

What blessing does the Lord pronounce upon the man who

observes the Sabbath? Isa. 56 : 2.

16.

Is this confined to the Jews? Verse 3.

17.

What promises are made to the eunuchs and strangers (gen-

tiles)? Verses 4-7.

18.

What reform did the Lord call for respecting the Sabbath?

Isa. 58 : 1, 12, 13.

19.

What was one of the sins manifest among Israel after the

restoration? Neh. 18 : 16.

20.

How were they reproved ? Verses 17, 18.

21, Who effected reform in this respect, and how? Verses-19-22.

NOTES.

1. THE Sabbath is a memorial not simply of creation, but of

God, the Creator, the only God. " I am God," He tells us, "and

there is none else beside Me." This must be the case; for if God

is Creator, all else are creatures. The Sabbath is a temembrancer

of the great and only God, and the creation is the greatest evi-

dence of His Godhead.

2, EVERY extraordinary manifestation of God's power to the

world is the showing forth of the same power by which the worlds

were created.

The creation of the heavens and the earth is the

greatest manifestation that earth knows, for nothing would be

THE SABBATH.



greater than calling them out of nothing. The next greatest dis-

play of power was the redemption of His people from the chiefest

of earthly opposing powers, in which the gods of the nations were

proved to be vanity: This redemption frOm Egypt, this making

of Israel a sanctified or separated people, was a display of God's

great power such as had never been seen since the earth was cre-

ated. God did this to show to Israel and the world that He alone

was God, and to spread abroad His name, or character, in the earth.

As the Sabbath was a memorial of God's creative power in the be-

ginning, so it became to Israel not only a memorial of creation,

but a memorial of the same power manifest in redemption and

sanctification; and so it becomes to every child of God.

3. THE oldest idolatry which history records is sun worship, and

itwas also the most licentious. (See " Lord's Day," part 2, chapter

2.) As Sunday was dedicated to the sun, the times prohibited

by the Lord, the. times observed by Manasseh, must have included

the festival of Sunday, the great rival of the Sabbath of the Lord.

LESSON V.—August 3, 1895.

CHRIST AND THE SABBATH.

SCRIPTURE

READINGS.—Matt.12: 1-12; Luke

4 :16. 31-14; John 9: 1-38; 5 : I-18.

REVIEW QUESTIONS.

--(a) What is the Sabbath to those who

have been redeemed by Christ?

(b)

What has been the great

rival to the worship of the true God?

(c)

What day has been

especially devoted to this false worship? (d) What noted king of

Judah was preeminently given to this worship?

(e)

What reform

took place upon the Sabbath during the Levitical dispensation?

What relation did the prophet say Christ would sustain to

God's law? Isa. 42 : 21.

How did our Lord through the psalmist speak of His regard

for the same law? Ps. 40 : 7. 8.

When Christ came, what testimony did He bear of the same

import? John 5 : 30; 6 : 38.



TILE SABBATH.

What did He say of His relation to God's law? Matt. 5: 17.

What did He say of its unchangeableness and perpetuity?

Matt. 5 : 18; Luke 16 : 17.

What did He say of those who taught and kept the law?

Matt. 5: 19, 20.

What did He tell the young man to do that he might have

eternal life? Matt. 19 : 17.

How only may we do the works

God, or keep His law?

John 6: 28, 29.

O. What did He say of his own life? John 8 : 46; 15 : 10.

10. What is the testimony of the apostle to Christ's life? 1 Peter

2:22.

H. What was - the nature of Sabbath observance among the

Jews when Christ came? (See note 1.)

12. What was it the custom of our Lord to do on the Sabbath?

Luke 4 : 16, 31.

18.- When His teaching was over, what did He do? Verses

33-89.

14.

Till what time were the greater part of the sick kept from

Him? Verse 40; Matt. 8 : 16.

15.

What occurred on another occasion? Matt. 12 : 1.

16.

What fault was found with this? Verse 2.

17.

How did our Lord show their inconsistency and endeavor to

enlighten them? Verses 3-7. (See note 2.)

18.

What did He declare Himself to be? Verse S.

19.

In what way did they endeavor to condemn His manner of

Sabbath keeping? Verse 10. See also Luke 13 : 14; 14: 1-3.

20.

How far did they go in this condemnation? John 9: 16;

5 : 16.

21.

By what illustration did,, our Lord show the merciful right-

eousness of His works on the Sabbath? Matt. 12 : 11 and first part

of verse 12. See also Luke 13 : 15, 16; 14 : 5,

•

22. What relation did Christ's Sabbath work sustain to the Sab-

bath law? Matt. 12 : 12.

23.

What duty is ours in respect to the Sabbath and its observ-

ance? 1 John 2 : 6.

24.

What may we expect from those who will not follow Christ?

John 1.5 : 18-20; 9 : 16, first part. (See note 3.)

THE SABBATH.



NOTES.

1. THE

Sabbath of the Lord, pi:operly kept when the people

were devoted to God, was now, in their backslidden condition,

buried under the tradition of the rabbis. Certain knots could

not be tied or untied; two letters'could not be written so as-to be

•

read together and so form a word; no more food than the weight

of a fig could be carried; fire could neither be kindled nor

extinguished; an emetic could not be given, nor a broken bone

set, nor a dislocated joint righted; one kind of sandals might be

worn, and another kind might not be; one could not lawfully

carry a loaf, yet two could. Thus were the people burdened

by many foolish restrictions, while the rabbis .and priests with

subtle casuistry justified actual breaches in God's law of the Sab-

bath on their own part.

IN the illustrations used by our Lord, the sheep falling into

the pit, and the case of David, He did not present them to justify

Himself. His own deeds justified Him. He said what He did to

show them by their practice, and by the Scripture, which they pro-

fessed to believe, that they were inconsistent, and so help them to

become willing to learn what God had so long before told them, that

He would have mercy and not sacrifice. Adding to God's com-

mandments is will worship. He desires that we shall have the

spirit of the Sabbath as well as its form.

THE Jews had the right day of the Sabbath, but their tradi-

tions and spirit had made it a burden instead of a blessing. Jesus

placed it back where God ever designed it should be, a boon of life

to man. Here came the test,—the Sabbath, a blessing as kept by

Jesus and enjoined in' the law, or the Sabbath as interpreted by hu-

man tradition, and enforced by human law upon men's consciences.

To reject the first was to

reject Christ. To reject the second was to

suffer persecution (see John 9 : 14, 23, 34), and finally, as in the

case of Jesus, death (John 5 : 16-1S). In these days the circum-

stances are the same with one exception,—the sabbaths are different,

—but it is still tradition against the word of God.



THE SABBATH.

LESSON VI.-August 10, 1895.

TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES.

SCRIPTURE READINGS.-Acts 20:20-32; 2

Tim. 3:155 to 4:5; Bum. 3:9-31;

8: 1-10; James 2 : S-12.

REVIEW

QUESTI:ONS.-(a)

By what was the true Sabbath per-

verted among the Jews when Christ came?

(5)

What did Christ

proclaim His relation to the law to be?

(c)

How did He keep it?

(d) How did His Sabbath keeping affect the Jews?

(e)

What

parallel may be drawn between that time and this? (f ) What

was Christ's testimony to the integrity and perpetuity of the law?

What testimony does the apostle boar to the law? Rom.

2 : 17, 18, 20. (See note 1.)

By what will those be judged who have the opportunity of

knowing God's will? Verses 12, 16.

What class will then be justified? Verse

18.

How many have been doers of the law? Rom. 3 : 20, 23.

In whom alone are we counted doers of the law, or obedient

to it? Rom. 5 : 19.



•

Through what is His obedience counted

ours?

Rom. 3 : 22;

4: 5.

How does the righteousness by faith compare with the right-

eousness in the law? Rom. 3 : 21. (See note 2.)

What then does faith in Christ do for the

law?

Verse 31.

(See note 3.)

How then will the Sabbath be affected?'

10.

What class will be opposed to the law of God? Rom. 8: 7;

11.

What will those do who walk after the Spirit? Verse 4.

Compare with Gal. 5 : 22, 23.

12.

When was the new covenant confirmed? Heb. 9: 15-17.

13.

What is said of a covenant if it be confirmed? Gal. 3: 15.

14.

What bearing has this on the Sabbath question? (See note

4.)

15.

To what day of time week is the term "Sabbath " always

applied? Matt. 28:

1 ; Mark 16 :

1, 2. (See

note Ci.)

THE s t 111{AT



16.

By what term is the da,,y we call Sundly always designated

in the Scriptures? Matt. 28: 1 ; Mark 16 : 1, 2, 9; Luke 23 : 54-56;

24: 1 ; John 20 : 1, 19; Acts 20 : 7 ; 1 Cor. 16:2. (See note 6.)

17.

How did the early Christians of Palestine,regard this day?

(See note 7.)

18.

What testimony does the apostle bear as to the gentile

church of the Thessalonians? 1 Thess. 2 : 14.

19.

What class of sabbaths passed away at the crucifixion?

Col. 2 : 16.

20.

Where are these yearly sabbaths enumerated, and what

distinction is made between them? Lev. 23 : 4-38.

21.

What testimony does James bear to the law and therefore to

the Sabbath? James 1 : 25; 2 : 8-12.

22.

What clay does John mention? Rev. 1 : 10.

23.

What day is the Lord's day? Mark 2 : 27 ; Ex. 20 : 8-11. ;

Isa. 58 : 13.

24.

How did our Lord regard the law which enjoined the Sab-

bath? 1 John 3 :4 ; 1 Peter 2 : 22 ; John 15 : 10.

25.

What is our duty? 1 Peter 2 : 21 ; 1 John 2 : 6.

26.

In what is love for God manifested? 1 John : 3.

•

NOTES.

THE second chapter of Romans beat's strong testimony to the

worth, obligation, and perpetuity of God's law. The reason why

the Jews knew God's will, and approved the most excellent things,

was because they were instructed by God's law. That they did not

keep the law is true, but that did not affect the law. They

simply

had its form, its outward observance, but this was " the form of

knowledge and of the truth." They observed the seventh day.

That was the truth. What they lacked was the life, which Christ

alone could supply.

THE ten commandments are frequently called God's testi-

monies, because they bear witness against sin and to righteousness

wherever found. For this reason the ark in which they were

placed is called the ark of the testimony or witness. The law'

witnesses that all men are sinners and condemns them. Rom,



TH E SABBATH.

: 20, 23. But when Christ place.1 His obedience upon the sinner

in answer to simple faith, the law of God witnesses that the sinner

is righteous, because the righteousness of Christ is the righteousness

of the law.

3. Goo's law is forever established whether man has faith or

not. " It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle

of the law to fail." Luke 10 : 17. " Forever, 0 Lord, Thy word

is settled in heaven." Ps. 119 : 89. But in the natural heart of

man the law is not "established." But faith, genuine faith,

establishes God's law in the heart. It puts Christ within (Eph.

3 : 17), and Christ and the law are inseparable (Ps. 40 : 7, 8). See

•

Heb. 8 : 8-10.

IN the teachings of Christ the principles of the new covenant

were laid down ; its ordinances of baptism, humility, and com-

munion were all given ; the law had been affirmed in both teach-

ing and example to the time of the cross. The seventh-day Sabbath

was taught by Christ and kept by Him according to its law till He

died. Not one word did He speak, not one act did He perform,

which showed any other day to be holy, nor did He predict holi-

ness for any offer day in the future. At His death the covenant

was sealed. His last will and testament was then confirmed.

Nothing could be taken from it, nothing could be added. The

new covenant, therefore, confirms the seventh-day Sabbath and no

other.

THE term " Sabbath " is throughout the New Testament

fifty-nine times applied to one day of the week alone, namely, the

day before the first day of the week. It was observed by the Jews;

it was used as a preaching day by Paul to both Jews and Gentiles

(Acts 13 : 42, 44); it was Paul's custom to do this (Acts 16 : 13 ;

17 : 3); and while in Athens, a gentile city, he worked at his

trade with a Jew six days in the week and preached every

Sabbath for one year and six months (Acts 18 : 1, 4, 11). Every-

where among the early Christians the seventh day of the week was

known by no other name.

THE term " first day of the week" occurs only eight times in

all the New Testament. No other term is applied to that day.

Six of the texts in the lesson refer to the particular day on which

THE SA BBATlI.



Christ rose from the dead; but the disciples did not honor that day,

for they did not believe He had risen. The next mention is found

in the record of Paul's farewell meeting at Troas, where a young

man was raised to life. But that day was used as a day of labor.

The last text simply

gives

instruction to each one to lay by him-

self on each first day a sum for the poor as God had prospered him,

so that Paul might get it when he came. Paul never taught first-

day observance. See Acts.20 : 20, 27, 32.

7. THE early Christians of Palestine observed the seventh-day

Sabbath. (See "Lord's Day,'' part 3, chapter 4). The practice of

the apostle Paul we have already learned. There was never a

charge' brought against him tin• transgressing the Sabbath. See

Acts 28: 17, 21. The fact is admitted by authorities generally

that the Christians in. Judea were observers of the seventh-day

Sabbath.

LESSON VII.—August 17, 1895.

THE APOSTASY AND THE SABBATH.

SCRIPTURE. READINGS.—Daniel 7 ; Acts 20 : 26-32; 2 Tim. 4:1-5 ; 2

Peter

2 :1-3 ; 2 Mess. 2 :1-8 ; Gal. 4 : 3--11; Rev. 13:1-10.

REVIEW Q UESTIONS.

—(a) What is the distinguishing character-

istic of the one true God?

(0)

What is His memoiial and sign?

(e)

What was Christ's attitude toward the law and Sabbath?

(d) What is the universal testimony of the apostles in regard to

the law?

What was the standard of faith in the apostolic church?

2 Tim. 3 : 16,17 ; John 17 : 8, 17 ; 2 Tim. 4 : 1.

What was this word to them that received it? John 6 : 63 ;

1 Thess. 2 : 13.

•

3. Whom did it place within? Col. 1 : 25-28 ; Eph. 3 : 17 ;

Gal. 2 : 20.

What therefore did each believer become? 1 Cor, 6 19,

What did the entire church become when cotriposed of such

believers? 1 Cor. 3 : 16 ; 2 Cor. 6 : 16 ; Eph. 2 : 19-22.



SA1111.014 .

6. What is that power in the heart called? Col. 2: 2 ; 1 Tim.

3 : 16, first clause. See also Col. 1 : 26, 27 ; Eph. 3 : 3, 4, and else-

where.

7. What is its work? Eph. 3 : 9, 17 ; Titus 2 : 14 ; 1 Thess.

4 : 3 ; Rom. 8 : 4 ; 2 Cor. 3 : 3.

8. What therefore would be the proper name and character of

that power which would take the place of Christ in the heart?

1 John 2 : 18 ; 4 : 3 ; 2 Thess. 2 : 7.

9, Why was not this mystery of iniquity immediately mani-

fested? 2•Thess. 2 : 6, 7. (See note 1.)

10.

What charge did Paul give to elders and preachers? • Acts

20: 26 ; 2 Tim. 4 : 1, 2.

11.

What aid he say would soon come upon the church? Acts

20 : 29, 30; 2 Tim. 4 : 3, 4. See also 2 Peter 2 : 1, 2.

12.

What was the prominent worship and prominent day in the

pagan world in apostolic days? Ans.-Sun worship and Sunday.

See "The Lord's Day."

13, From what were the Galatian Christians con carted? Gal. 4 : 8.

14.

In their backslidden condition what did they desire to do?

Verse 9.

15.

What evidence did they give of this? Verse 10.

16.

As they were formerly heathen and observed heathen times

and days, to what times and days did the apostle refer?

. 17. How alone can

the Christian oppose this? Acts 20 : 32t;

2 Cor. 10:3-5.

18,

To what extent would this apostasy be manifest? 2 Thess.

2 : 3, 4,

19,

By what is this apostasy symbolized? Rev. 17 : 1-6.

20.

In what way was this apostasy to oppose God, and exalt

itself above Him? Dan. 7 : 25. (See note 2.)

21.

What change in God's law would a change in His appointed

times produce?

22.

In what commandment alone of the ten is there a difference

between the papal code of morals and the Decalogue? (See note 3.)

23.

What are the teachings of God's law in this respect? Ex.

20 : 8-11.

24.

What is the teaching of the Papacy? (See note 4.)

sArtnArs.



25.

What express claim does the Papacy Make? (See note 4,

and.

Bible Students' Library

No. 134., "The Lord' Day.")

26.

For how long were the saints, times, and laws to be given

into the hands of the Papacy? -

27.

What may we conclude would then take place? See Acts

17 : 30.

NOTES.

THE Revised Version renders 2 Thess. 2 6, 7 as follows :

"And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he

[the' man of sin] may be revealed in his own season. For the

mystery of lawlessness cloth already work ; only there is one that

restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way." "For the

secret of lawlessness is

already working, till only the one restrain-

ing for the present be out of the way." Diaglott. Others are

similar. The old English word "let" means hinder; the Greek

word means withhold, or restrain. Now there is but one power in

the universe that can keep antichrist out of the church, and that

is the power which keeps him out of each individual heart, and

that is Jesus Christ. But Christ will not dwell therein unless we

desire it. If we bid Him go, He will leave, and then we are left to

the working of the mystery of iniquity.

2. Iw Revelation 17 the apostate church is represented as com-

mitting fornication. She was formerly espoused to Christ. 2 Con

11 : 2. She was bound to Christ by the law of God. To turn

from Him and His law and to turn to others is to commit spiritual

fornication, and become lawless. Paul refers to the same when

he calls that apostasy the man of sin." "Sin is the transgression

of the law " (1 John 3 :4), and the man of sin would be the sinner

above all others. This man of sin is also the mystery of iniquity,

or lawlessness, pointing again to opposition to God's law. Daniel

describes the work of this power more particularly. It would

speak great words against God. It would wear out the saints of

God, and " think to change the times and the law " (Revised

Version), or, as Wintle and Spurrell render, "the appointed times

and the law," and the saints and the law shall be given into its

hands for 1,260 years. These specifications the apostasy has ful-

0•)



E SAIISATH,

filled, It has blasphemed God. It has put to death His saints.

Its spiritual domination lasted 1,260 years, from A. D. 538 to 1798.

It has changed the first appointed time, the beginning of the day,

from sunset, God's time, to midnight, and it has changed the day

of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week, and

in thus doing has changed God's law. It has changed God's law

in that very part which reveals Him for what He is, the Creator

and Redeemer.

THE ten commandments as given in Roman Catholic cate-

chisms are the same in substance as those given in Ex. 20: 1-17,

with the exception of the Sabbath commandment. The number-

ing is different, but in all other respects nine of them are essen-

tially the same. The catechism calls the first two commandments

one. and divides the tenth to make the full number, thus making

the fourth commandment the third.

THE teaching of the Papacy is as follows:—

"Question—Say

the third commandment.

"Answer—Remember

that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.

"Q.—What is commanded by the third commandment?

"A.—To spend the Sunday in prayer and other religious duties,"

—Butler's Catechism.

"Q.—How prove you that the church hath power to command

feasts and holy days?

"A.—By the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday,

which Protestants allow

of."—Abridgment of Christian Doctrine.

LESSON VIII.—August 24, 1895.

THE SEAL OF GOD.

•

SCRIPTURE READINGS.-2 Cor. 1 :20-22; 5 :5; Eph. 4 : 30; Rev. 7 :1-4; 14 : 1-5;

Isa. 8 ;11-18; Eze. 9; Rev. 14 : 6-14; 15 : 2-4.

REVIEW QUESTIONS.

—(a) What does the reception of the

gospel do for unconverted men?

(b)

What power was-soon to be

manifest in the church?

(c)

What is that power called, and what

THE SABBAT



9:;

would be its work?

(d)

How long was it to continue? (e)

what great system has it been fulfilled?

What are the characteristics of a seal? (See note 1.)

In government with what is it always connected? Isa.

8 : 16.



See note 1.)

What must the

seal of a law show? (See note 1.)

In the Scriptures with what is the word " seal " used kyn-

onymously? Rom. 4 : 11.

In what part of God's law is His seal found? Ex. 31 : 17;

Eze. 20 : 20.

In what way does the Sabbath commandment meet the

characteristics of a seal?

What work is described in Isa. 8 : 16?

At what time in the world's history does it apply? Isa.

8 : 17. (See note 2.)

Where is this work again predicted? Rev. 7:1-4.

10.

At what time does this prophecy apply? (See note 3.)

11.

By what term is the seal represented in Ezekiel 9?

12.

What work in opposition to God's sealing work is going on

at the same time? Rev. 12 : 11-17.

13.

What warning does God give against this work? Rev.

14 : 9-11.

14.

Who receive the mark of the beast? Rev, 13 : 8.

15.

For what purpose is a seal used? Ans.-To affirm, to au-

thenticate, to stamp as genuine.

16.

Who are sealed with God's seal? Eze. 9:4; Isa. 8 : 16;

Rev. 7: 4.

17.

By what power is the law of God placed upon the heart?

Eze. 36 : 27; 2 Cor. 3:

18.

What will the Spirit within us do? Eph. 2: 10; 4 : 24; Col.

3 : 10.

19.

When that law is written in the heart, what will he the

stamp of its genuineness? Rev. 7 : 2.

20.

Whose name will we bear? Rev. 14:1.

21.

What does the bearing of God's name indicate? Ans.-That

they are of His character, for His name is indicative of His clir-

acter. See Ex. 33 : 18, 19; 34: 5-7.

2 t



III; \Ill.

22.

What is necessary that we may thus be made like God, or

stamp6d with His character? James 4: 7, first part; Isa. 64:8.

(See note 4.)



•

23.

For what should we seek? Luke 11 : 9 -13; Gal. 8 : 14.

24.

How should we be careful to live?, Eph. 4: 30.

NOTES.

SEAL

used in connection with a legal document is a device

by which a document is so stamped as to show it to be authentic

or genuine. By reference to Esther, 8 :8; 1 Kings 21 : 8, it will

be seen that a law must be sealed to be authentic. In the matter

of a law the seal must show the name of the ruler who gave the

law, the position he occupies, the authority he exercises,.the extent

of his dominion—in brief, the name, the authority, the territory.

If any of these are lacking, the law would not be valid or the

document authoritative. The seal of God must be connected with

His law, the only document He ever wrote, and must contain

these three characteristics. When placed upon God's servants, it

is His mark, or seal, stamps them as His, and His alone.

THE work of sealing predicted in Isa. 8 i 16 is a work that

pertains to the Christian dispensation (verse 14), and undoubtedly

refers to Christ. See references from verses 15, 17, 18 to the New

Testament, where this scripture is applied to Christ and His work

and His disciples. Verses 19-22 refer to the last great deception

of Spiritualism and the blackness of darkness which will come

upon the wicked. The plans, schemes, confederacies; and

asso-

ciations

of man to put off the evil clay, so manifest at the present

lime, are referred to in verses 9-12. The sure refuge is pointed

out in verse 13, the Lord of hosts in the heart. Compare with 1

Peter 3 : 15. And finally verse 17

shows that the sealing work is

carried on when Christ's discip%s are waiting for His coming in

glory. 1 Thess. 1 :10:, Isa. 25 :9. Then those who bear His seal

will say, "Yea, in the,way of Thy judgments, 0 Lord, have we

waited for Thee; to Thy name and to Thy memorial [the Sabbath]

is the desire of our soul." Isa. 26:8, Revised Version. Then •

will the testimony, the witness, the attestation of God's law, be

restored.

THE. SABBATH.



o6'

3. Tn t: prophecy vi' Iirv. 7 1-4 also refers to the last days. It

is a work which takes place under the sixth seal before God's

judgments are manifest. It comes in between verses 13 and 14 of

Revelation 6. They are those who

are redeemed

from the

earth

when the Lord comes. Rev. 14 :1-5. They are called Israel in

the primary meaning of the term, those who have prevailing faith

with God. See Gen. 32 : 24-28. All the redeemed host of God

will be called Israel. They will enter the glorious city of the

redeemed through one of its twelve gates, which are named after

one of the twelve tribes. Rev. 21 : 12. They have upon them

the name of Jerusalem, their mother. Rev. 3:12. This com-

pany, the redeemed as a whole, are not among the numbered

tribes of earth, but all are numbered in the records on high, chil-

dren of God. They are those who have had sincere repentance,

and who, weep over sin (Eze. 9 : 4), who are Christ's disciples

indeed (Isa. 8: 16; ,John 8 :81, 32). They are the true Israel of

God by faith. Rom. 2 : 28, 29; Eph. 2 : 12, 13, 19, 20.

IT is the meek and humble that God will teach and guide;

it is the submissive He will mould and purify and refine through

trial by His word. The dross will be burned away till the pure

metal reflects His image. The stubborn clay will be beaten and

moulded and softened, if possible, till God can stamp it with his

own seal. The stamping, the sealing, is the finishing part of the

work. The soul is tried, and is not found wanting. The law is

written in the heart, and the seal of that law, the fourth com-

mandment, which reveals to us the fullness of Christ's power and

character a's the only living and true God, which reveals to us in

that character that "name above every name," is the last work of

the Spirit of God prior to the coming of Christ. That seal will be

placed upon no one who loves sin. It will be impressed upon

everyone who hates sin and loves Christ, or chooses Christ above

all things else.

SuooEsTrvx QUESTIONS.—The Spirit of God—what is its work

in the heart of the believer? What is its attitude toward God's

law? Does the Spirit lead us contrary to the law? What is

that spirit which would lead us contrary to God's law? Is Rev.

7: 1-3 now being fulfilled? What is the character of those sealed?

Rev. 14: 1-5. Over whom do they obtain victory, and through

whom ? Rev.



THE SABBATH.

LESSON IX.—August 31, 1895.

THE SABBATH IN THE LAST REFORMATION.

SCILIFfURE READINGS.—ISa.

2S :9-22;

chapters

56, 58, 59; Eze. 22: 23-31.

REVIEW QUESTIONS.—(a)

What

a seal ?

(b)

What are its

characteristics?

(c)

What is the seal of God's law?

(d)

What is

the name of the Giver of the law? (e) What is His authority?

(f) What is the extent of His kingdom ? (9) By whom are we

sealed ?

What solemn message of reform has God given us for the last

days? Rev. 14: 6, 7. (See note 1.)

To how many is it to go?

What is the burden of the message? Verse 7.

what does the fear of the Lord lead'? Ps. 111: 10; Bed.

12: 13; Job 28: 28. (See note 2.) ...

Whose worship is enjoined? Rev. 14 : 7.

What is the proof of true worship? Matt. 4: 10; Luke

6 : 46.

If we truly worship and serve the Creator, how will we

regard His memorial ?

In view of what are we told to give glory to God ?

.9. What is the rule of the judgment? James 2 :8-12; Rom.

2 : 12.

10.

What are the characteristics of the people developed by this.

message ? Rev. 14 : 12.

11.

If the class here mentioned keep the commandments of

God, how many are they transgressing? How do they regard the

fourth?

they keep " the faith of Jesus," how would they

regard His example concerning the Sabbath ?

12.

What does Jeremiah bid the people do at this time, and

what do inany say ? Jer. 6 : 16.

13.

What does the Lord say because of their reply? Verses 18,

19; Asa. 30: 8-11. (See note 3.)

14.

What does He say of those who will keep the Sabbath ?

La. 56 :

THE SALBATH.



15. .A.

t'what time does fhis scripture apply? Verse 1. (See

note 4.)

16. What classes are especially named? Verses 3-7.

17. In what way does the Lord again reprove His people?

58: 1.

18. What does He say to those who will heed the reproof?

Verse 12. (See note 5.)

19. What special promise does He snake regarding the Sabbath

Verse 14.

20. What reproof does the Lord give to the false teachers of the

last days ? Eze. 13 : 3, 4.

21. What had they not done? Verse 5. (Compare with Isa.

8 : 16; 58 : 12.)

22. What were they doing instead of preaching God's word?

Eze. 13 : 6-10; 22 : 28, 30.

23. In what did their special sins consist? Eze. 221 26.

24. What judgments does the Lord pronounce against them?

Verse 31; 13 11-14. (Compare with Job 38 : 22, 23 ; Rev.

16 : 17-21.)

25. How does the Lord meet this flood of wickedness? Isa.

59: 19, 20; Rev. 14 : 6-11.

26. What class of people does it develop? Rev. 12 : 17; 14 : 12.

27. In these times of God's judgments, what confidence does

this class express? Isa. 26 : 8, Revised Version.

28. To what glorious consummation may we look with hope?

Heb. 4 : 9, margin; Isa. 66 : 22, 23.

NOTES.

1. THAT the message of the angel of Rev. 14 : 6, 7 (symbolizing

God's messengers) is applicable to the last days alone is evident,

(1)

from the message given, "The hour of God's judgment is

come." Paul preached the gospel in view of a judgment to come.

Acts 17:31: 24 : 25. But in this text it declares that it is come.

The investigative judgment, beginning in 1844, had then begun.

(2)

The second and third messages follow or go with the first, and

the coming of the Lord immediately follows. The message there-



THE SABBATH,

fore pertains to the last days. It is a part of the great Threefold

message by which God would save the last generation.

FEAR, or reverence, of God is exercised only by a meek and

humble heart, which realizes its own nothingness and God'S com-

pleteness. Such a heart will count God's wisdom greatest and His

ways the best. It will therefore render to Him the glory due, or,

what is the same thing, submit willingly to keep His command-

ments. God will do the rest.

THE scripture referred to in Jeremiah 6 doubtless has refer-

ence to Israel then, and because of that it was spoken to them; but

it also has reference to the times in which we live, and therefore it

is written for these days. We have at the present time the peace

and safety cry " of verses 14, 15 (see 1 Thess. 5 : 1-3); we have

the message of the Lord calling His people back to the old ways

and His watchmen to listen to the sound of the trumpet of coming

danger ("lee Joel 2: 1; Rev. 14 : 6, 7); we have the refusals to

walk in His way or to listen to the sound of the trumpet; we have

the gathering out of the remnant church (Jer. 6 :.9), which will

keep the law of God (Rev. 12 : 17); and finally God's judgments

upon the people because they have rejected His law (Rev. 14: 9-11).

CHRts•r'S

salvation which is near to come, and His righteous-

ness which is to be revealed, cannot relate to the salvation which

He hiss ever been constantly bestowing upon believing sinners. It

is to His everlasting salvation (Isa. 45 : 17), with which He will

save His people at His coming, for which the earth is now groaning

;

and which will be given at the second coining of Christ. See Isa.

: 9; Luke 21 : 28; Rom. 8 : 23; Heb. 9 : 28. That'righteousness

will also be revealed in its fullness when Christ comes. Ps. 50: 3-6.

At the time predicted in the prophecy, which is this time, the Sab-

bath of the Lord will he a matter of agitation, of testing', of bless-

ing.

5. IsALA.0 58 and 59 are both parts of one prophecy; there should

be no chapter heading between them. They are both a part of the

same message, the first part containing reproof, instruction, and

warning; the second part, denunciation upon the wicked, and

promises for those who heed the message. The time to•which it

applies is just before the Lord comes with vengeance to recompense



')9

ills enemies and to save His people. See Isa. 59 : 17-20. Out of His

people to whom this message is sent will come those who will build

up the " waste places '' of God's downtrodden law, " raise up "

the highway of God's holiness, repair " the breach " made by the

man of sin, etc. To do this they' will turn away their feet from

the Sabbath. This wort: is now being carried forward. The

standard of God's truth is erected against the enemy. Rev.

12 : 17; Isa. 50 : 19; Rev. 14 :

LESSON X.—September 7, 1895.

THE PROPER OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH.

SCRIPTURE READINGS.—Ex. 20 :8-11 ; 16 :4, 16-30 ; 23:12;

Isa. 56 :1-8; 55:12-14.

(a) For how long did God command the Sabbath?

(h)

What

noted characters kept it? (c) What power sought to change it?

(d)

In what scripture is predicted a reform on the Sabbath?

(e)

Where will it be kept eternally?

What is the glory of the character of God? Ex. 33 : 18, 19;

Ps. 7 : 9, last clause ; 1 John 4 : 8.

What is the character of His works? Ps. 111 : 3 ; 145: 17.

8. What does He require of man? Lev.10:2

; I Peter 1 : 15,

16. (See note 1.)

For what purpose does the Lord require all these things?

Dent. 8 : 16, last clause; Porn. 8 : 28.

For whose good. was the Sabbath made? Mark 2: 27.

How was man required to keep,it? Ex. 20 : 8.

Who only can make a day holy?

When and how did God make the Sabbath holy? (See

note 2.)

Who only can keep it holy? John 6 : 28,29 ; 1 John 2 : 29;

3 : 7 ; Gal, 2 : 20.

10.

In how many daysshould our own work be done? Ex. 20: 9.

11.

How should we regard the Sabbath? Verse 10.



TH E SABBATH.

12.

May we not labor on the Sabbath if the exigencies of the

season or the press of work seem to demand it? Ex. 34: 21 ; 23: 12.

13.

Are all works forbidden? Isa, 58 : 13.

14,

How should we prepare for the temporal needs of the Sab-

bath? Ex. 16: 23. (See note 3.)

15,

What should be our rule in these respects? 1 Cot, 10: 31.

16.

What is our duty with reference to the Sabbath? !kit. 58 : 13,

first two clauses. (See note 4.)

17.

How should we regard the Sabbath? Same verse, third

clause.

18.

In thus regarding the Sabbath in whom do we find delight?

Verse 14.

19.

What example have we in the observance of the day?

Matt. 12 :1-13 ; Luke 4 : 31-39 ; 13 : 10-17 ; 14 :



(See note 5.)

20.

How complete is our knowledge as to how the Sabbath

should be observed? 1 Cor. 8 : 2.

21.

What then should we do that we may observe it aright?

James 1 : 5. (See note 6.)

22.

What should the Sabbath be to us as compared with other

days? (See note 7.)

23.

What has the Lord promised to those who will heed His

word? Isa. 56 : 2.

NOTES.

GOD requires of us to be holy, righteous, perfect, keepers of

His holy, righteous, perfect law, While we cannot of ourselves

meet His requirements, there is that power in the very require-

ments themselves which will enable us to become and do all that

God commands if we will but yield to do it. The Revised Version

of 1 Peter 1 : 16 reads, "Ye shall be holy; for I am holy." God is

able to make us all that He requires us to be. This He does by

putting into us His own presence. 1 Cor. 1 : 17-19 ; Rom. 8 : 9.

GOD made the Sabbath holy in the beginning in the same

way He makes us holy, in the same way He made Mount Sinai

holy, by putting His own presence within the clay in a special

sense.

THE SABBA.TH,



THE

Lord does not lay down hard and fast rules in His word

concerning all the details of life. He lays down clear and positive

commands concerning our duty. He lays down broad and far-

reaching principles, and oftentimes specific examples to illustrate

the principle. He has done this as regards Sabbath observance.

It was made for man, not to be a day of absolute physical rest, not

to be a burden, but a day of spiritual delight, of communion with

God, of labor for Him. Preparation for our needs the day before

will give us the sacred hotirs for spiritual growth and meditation

upon God and His works. It is as important now as it was in the

days of ancient Israel that we should bake and seethe (boil) for the

Sabbath on the day previous. This is illustrative of other duties.

This does not mean, however, that cooking is not sometimes justi-

fied. God will have mercy and not sacrifice. The feeble often

need warm food. The sick sometimes demand special food and

care. The little ones need milk. Let the .controlling question of

each one be as regards himself, not his neighbor, "What will

glorify God ?"

By " thy pleasure " is meant the pleasure of the worldly

minded. Such are to take their feet from the Sabbath,—turn from

dishonoring it. The Christian, however, delights in it, as he

delights in all God's law. Ps. 1 :2 ; 119 :47. He has found

delight in an indwelling Saviour, and the regenerated heart finds

added delight in the Sabbath, in which that same Saviour dwells.

IN the example of our Lord we find a true interpretation, an

object lesson of the law of the Sabbath. He did not seek His own

pleasure or his own profit, but that of others. He attended the

public assemblies and listened to or read the word of God. He

sought God for the strength He needed. He justified His disciples

whom the Jews condemned for supplying their needs by rubbing

out the wheat in their hands. He ministered to the sick and

afflicted ; He spoke words of comfort and instruction to the long-

ing soul. Such should be our mission.

As we do not know how the Sabbath should be observed as

we ought to know, how important it is that we seek Him in whom

are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, that He may

make us wise to know! And when should we do this? All



•rmiE

through the week we should remember the Sabbath, in order that

we may keep it holy when it comes, and plan our work, our busi-

ness, our associations, accordingly. We should seek Him espe-

cially at the beginning of the Sabbath. If we are alone in honoring

God's day, let to draw apart with the Master for a season. If we

have companions, associates, seek God with them. If our family

is all united, let us gather around the family altar and repeat some

passage from the word of life, or read from its sacred page, repeat-

ing the fourth commandment in unison, and then seek God for

His Sabbath blessing. Give the children a part. Let the irritated

feelings, worn nerves, be soothed by the Spirit of the Master, and

let each minister blessings to the others. In thus seeking God wc

will know how to put a difference between the clean and unclean,

between the holy and profane. Ere. 22 : 2(.

7. THE Sabbath day should bring us double blessing. The

priests, who represented the whole people, ate the bread of God's

presence on the Sabbath day. They therefore partook more largely

of His presence. They received a portion which they did not upon

other days. This is what the Sabbath should be to us. We should

have the blessing of God's presence in the heart on all clays; we

should have the added blessing of the Sabbath on that day. Thus

would we be lifted to a higher spiritual plane each week ; amid as

God never bestows one spiritual grace that He does not wish us to

retain, and which He will enable us to keep, so the next Sabbath

would lift us to a still higher plane of spiritual life. Thus would

every Sabbath be fi stepping-stone to lift us nearer God.

LESSONS ON TITHING

LESSON X1.-September 14, 1895.

TITH1NO.

To whom do we belong? 1 Cor. 8 : 23; 6 :19, 20„ (See note 1.)

How dependent are we upon the Lord? Acts 17 :25, 28;

1 Cur. 4 : 7.

How much of our time belongs to the Lord? Ans.-All,

because we belong to the Lord.

How are we instructed to use our time? Ex. 20



10. (See

note 2.)

When we do not devote to the Lord the time He lies com-

manded, of what are

guilty? (See note 3.)

When we observe the Sabbath, whom_ do we honor? Isa.

58:18, 14.

How much of our means belongs to the Lord?

because we ourselves belong to the Lord.

Who gives us power to get wealth? Deut. 8 :18.

To whom does the earth, and all that it contains, belong?

Ps.

24:1; 50:10-12; Msg. 2 : 8.

10.

What is our relation to the property which is in our posses-

sion.

Ans.-Stewards.

Luke 19:12-23.

11.

What should

do with our property? Prov. 3: 9, 10.

12.

How can we honor the Lord with our substance? Ans.-By

doing with it as the Lord bas commanded.

13.

What does the Lord say :shout providing for our own? 1

Tins. 5:8.

14.

What is our duty to the poor? Ps. 41:1-8; James 2 :15, 16;

1 John : 17.

18. What is the measure of the love which we owe our neigh.

)

,se? Matt. 22 : 30.

(33)

16.

Which is the first and great commandment? Verses 36-38.

17.

Then to whom is our first and highest duty? Why?

18.

What proportion of our income has the Lord reserved as

sacred to Him? Lev, 27 : 30.

19.

Did the patriarchs pay tithes? Gen. 14: 18-20; 28: 32.

20.

In what dispensation did Abraham and Jacob live?

Patriarchal. (See note 4,)

NOTES.

WE are the Lord's by creation, for He gave us existence. He

created us, Gen. 1 :26, 27; 2: 7. Having forfeited our lives by

sin, Christ dies for us to redeem us from death. 1 Cor. 15:22.

Therefore, we are the Lord's both by creation and redemption.

Six days of the week are to be used as days of ordinary labor,

in the calling or employment to which God's providence has called

us. By faithfulness in the duties of life, and doing all things

heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men, we serve the Lord

Christ. Col. 3: 23, 24.. Having permission to use the six days

for secular labor, we call it secular or common time. The seventh

day having been set apart as a holy day, we are commanded to

keep it holy.

To use the Sabbath for ourselves, and not devote it to the

Lord as holy time, is robbing Him. It belongs to the Lord, for

He claims it as His. He calls it " My holy day." Isa. 58 : 13.

Therefore, when we disregard God's claim, and disobey His com-

mand concerning the seventh day, we rob Him of holy time.

THE tithing system is based on the same principle as the Sab-

bath, viz., the right of property. The Sabbath and the tithe both

belong to the Lord. He claims them as His. This claim dates

back to the patriarchal age, and was recognized by Abraham and

Jacob. The Lord has never relinquished His claim upon either;

therefore they are both obligatory in all dispensations, from the

flat° the restoration. The difference between the two obligations

is this,—the Sabbath was instituted as a memorial adapted to the

race both before and after the fall, while the tithing system- has

grown out of man's sinful condition, and the need of a systematic

TITHING.



3,5

plan Co provide means for carrying on the work of the gospel in

saving men from sin. The tithing system is therefore coeval with

the preaching of the gospel.

LESSON XII.-September 21, 1895.

TITHING-Continued.

To whom (lid Abraham pay tithes? Gen. 14 : 18-20; Heb

7 :1, 2.

Who was Melchizedek?

Arts.-"

Priest of the Most High

God." Verses 1, 2.

What is said of his genealogy? Verse 3. (See note 1.)

What is said of his greatness? Verse 4.

Of whom did the Levites receive tithes? Verse 5.

Who received tithes of Abraham? Verse 6.

By whom was Abraham blessed? Verses 1, 6.

Who, then, was the greater, Melchizedek or Abraham?

Verses 4, 6, 7.

Whom did Melchizedek represent? Verse 3.

10.

After what order was Christ a priest? Heb. 5: 6; 6 : 20;

7 ; 17, 21.

11.

Then does Christ receive tithes? Heb. 7 : 8.

12.

What did the Saviour teach concerning tithing'? Matt.

23:23. (See note 2.)

13.

Then, as followers of the teachings of Christ, what ought

we to do? Arts.-Pay tithes. (S6e note 3.) •

14.

How were the Levites supported in their work? 1 Cor.

9; 13. (See note 4.)

15.

What has the Lord likewise ordained concerning the support

of those who preach the gospel? Verse 14. (See note 5.)

16.

Who commissions and sends out those who preach the- gos-

pel? Matt. 28:18-20; John 20 : 21.

17.

Then whose servants are they? who employs them?



TITHING.

18. And in accordance with what has been shown in the above,-

what provision has the Lord made for the support of His laborers?

(See note 6.)

NOTES.

THAT is, there is no record of his genealogy. He had no suc-

cessor or predecessor in the priesthood; and Christ is a priest after

the order of Melchizedek, because He did not belong to a priestly

line, with a predeCessor and successor in the same line.

THE force of this scripture will be seen and realized more fully

when we remember that Christ's teaching during His public minis.

try was designed especially for what is generally called the Christian

dispensation. This is concluSively shown by the language used in

the great commission. Christ gives explicit instruction to the apos-

tles to teach " all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Seo

Matt. 28: 19,20.

Ought.—''Was

or were under obligations to pay; owed. T

be bound in duty or moral obligations."—

Webster.

While it is

proper to instruct the people from the word of God in the duty

of paying tithes, each individual should be left free to decide

for himself how much he will pay. No one should try to be

conscience for another in the matter.

To live on the things of the temple was to live on the things

brought into the Lord's storehouse. This consisted principally of

the tithe. See Mal. 3 : 10; Num. 18 : 20-24; 2 Chron. 31 : 4-12.

" EVEN so " means in like manner. As the priests and

Levites were supported by the tithes brought into the storehouse

by those who recognized and responded to God's claim upon them.

" even so " God's ministers now are supported by the tithes brought

into the Lord's treasury by

those who believe and obey the gospel.

THE Lord has made ample provision for the support of those

who labor in His vineyard. He has reserved the tithe for this pur-

poe; it is the Lord's. He uses His own means to recompense Hi;

laborers.

T1TH [NG.



LESSON XIII.-September 28, 1895.

TITHING-Concluded.

To whom do the Sabbath and the tithe belong?

Er,

20 :

8-10; Isa. 58: 13; Lev. 27 : 30.

Has He a just claim? If so, what is it? (See note 1.)

If they rightfully belong to the Lord, what course should

we pursue in relation to them ?

What has He commanded in regard to the Sabbath ? Ex.

20 : 8-11; Isa. 58 : 13,

Then how 'should we regard the Sabbath? Ex. 20 : 8-10:

Isa. 58

: 13.

What has He commanded in regard to the tithe?

Lev.

27 : 30-33; Num. 18 :20, 21, 25-27; 2 Chron. 31 :2-10; Mal. 3 :10.

What should we do with the Lord's tithe? Mal. 3: 10.

If we do not do this, of what sin are we guilty? Mal.

3 : 8. (See note 2.)

To what dispensation does the prophecy of Malachi 3 per-

tain ? Mal. 3:1-5, 16-18. (See note 8.)

10.

In what time does it especially apply? Mal. 3:2, 8, :i.

(See note 3.)

11.

What complaint does the Lord make against His people?

Verse 7, first clause.

12.

Relate the conversation between the Lord and His people

recorded in verses 7, 8.

13.

Why are God's people cursed.? Verse 9; Hag. 1.: 5-11.

(See note 4.)

14.

What does He ask us to do? Mal. 3:10.

15.

What precious promiseldoes this imply? (See note '5.)

16.

What promise does the Lord give us? Verses 11, 12.

See

;ilso

2 Chron. 31 : 5-10; Prov. 3 :9, 10; Acts 20 :35.

NOTES.

1. As the Lord created us, and has given us life and breath and

all things (Acts

17 :

24-28) , we belong to Him, and all we have



TITHING,

belongs to Him. The One who freely gives us everything certainly

has a right to reserve to Himself a portion of our time and a por-

tion of our means as a test of our love and worship, Such a claim

is manifestly just.

As the tithe is the Lord's, and rightfully belongs to Him, we

have no right to use it for ourselves, or appropriate it in any way;

if we do, we are guilty of robbing God. Our duty is simply to

place it in the treasury of the Lord, that it may be used to pay His

servants.

MALACHI 3 so clearly applies to the Christian dispensation

that no argument is necessary to prove it. A careful reading of

the chapter, in connection with chapter 4, is sufficient to convince

the candid seeker after truth that it belongs to the present dispen-

sation, and especially to the last days.

WHEN we seek our own ease and comfort, and do not respond

to God's claims upon us, and yet know what they are, God's curse

will surely fall upon us,

THIS language necessarily implies the precious promise that if .

we bring all the tithes into the storehouse,' and thus prove Him, as

He asks us to do, He will pour us out a blessing that there will not

be room enough to receive it. Those who prove or test the Lord

always find him true to His promise. We are not to conclude,

however, that the Lord will necessarily shower temporal blessings

upon us because we are faithful in paying tithes. He will give us

just such blessings as He sees will be for our best good and for His

glory.

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